Pubdate: Mon, 22 May 2006
Source: Parklander, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Hinton Parklander
Contact:  http://www.hintonparklander.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/782
Author: Jessica Kerr
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

HINTON DRUG ACTION COMMITTEE BACK IN ACTION

Hinton Parklander -- The Hinton Drug Action Committee (HDAC) is 
spreading its wings.

Since coming together in 2003, HDAC has gone from a group brought 
together with the common goal of eradicating crystal methamphetamine 
from a community, to being seen as an expert in its field.

The group has seen an increase in requests for information on crystal 
meth and drug abuse from the community, as well as requests from 
other communities looking to start similar organizations.

The Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth was in Hinton on May 2 and 
met with members of HDAC.

The task force is touring the province this month, meeting with 
various groups and individuals working against crystal meth.

"They were floored," said Lisa Land, project co-ordinator, of the 
task force's reaction to the Hinton committee.

The group has been meeting since last December in an effort to revamp 
its goals and approach to achieving those goals.

"We're still setting goals," Land said. As well as developing a 
strategic plan for 2006 and the next three to five years. One of the 
HDAC's new goals is to raise the awareness of the group in the 
community, and to be a clearinghouse for information.

"We had a lot of information coming into us," Land said, adding that 
the committee is working on a strategy to disseminate that 
information when requests come in.

The group was formed in early 2003 with a focus on public education 
and awareness, building resiliency in youth, detox, and finding 
better resources.

The committee launched a massive public awareness campaign that took 
volunteers door-to-door to educate residents about meth use, its 
symptoms and its hazards.

It also delivered a number of workplace presentations that outlined 
treatment options and set up a web site called methhurts.com.

The HDAC won a 2004 Solicitor General's Award for its efforts and had 
its Methhurts material adopted down the road to help the Edson 
Coalition Group raise public awareness.

The committee has been on the move as well, since December 
representatives have gone to conferences in Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, 
Kelowna and Edmonton.

The group has also had requests to go and give presentations in other 
communities.

The committee has not been as visible lately as it was in the 
beginning, but that does not mean it isn't there.

"I think we're doing just as much," said Randy Smith, HDAC co-chair.

The group has changed its focus slightly from its originals intentions.

Right now, HDAC is focusing more on drug use and abuse in the 
workplace, and has had several requests from local employers to give 
presentations on the subject.

The group is also looking at expanding into the impact of other drugs 
and substance abuse.

For more information on the Hinton Drug Action Committee, to request 
information or a presentation, or to volunteer to help out with any 
project or event, please call the local Alberta Alcohol and Drug 
Abuse Commission office at 865-8263 or call Randy Smith at 740-3059.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom